Jeffrey P. von Arx S.J.Dear Members of the Class of 2012:

As president of Fairfield University, I am happy to welcome you to Fairfield and to this site which will help introduce you to Greg Mortenson’s book, Three Cups of Tea, and to our freshman summer reading program. This program is important not only because we think the message of Mr. Mortenson’s book is of value, but also because we want you to understand that engagement with the issues he raises is a part of who we are as a Jesuit, Catholic university.

Your college years are a time to for you to grow in understanding, sympathy, and, yes, compassion for people who are different from you. What better way to do this than to engage with a people, culture and religion that we little understand and are tempted to demonize. Greg Mortenson and this book can serve as a bridge to coming to terms with “the other”: not that we abandon what makes us who we are, but that we recognize essential similarities as well as real differences that we will need to confront and overcome if we are to find our way to true human solidarity.

I offer you my good wishes for a summer that is both productive and restful and I look forward to seeing you, especially at our University Convocation on September 5, when Mr. Mortenson will be our speaker.

Jeffrey von Arx, S.J.

President
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
203-254-4000

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